Adderall may benefit patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as narcolepsy. However, the possibility of side effects comes with the positive results. While most are minor, you may be shocked by others, such as stomach upset and diarrhea.
Continue reading to find out how Adderall works, how it affects your digestive system, and other potential adverse effects that it may cause.
What is Adderall?
Adderall is a mixture of the stimulants amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, and it is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These stimulants raise the level of activity in the central nervous system, which is responsible for controlling the pathways in the brain and spinal cord that are accountable for the majority of your body’s processes.
When you use a stimulant drug such as Adderall, you may have both mind and physical side effects, including the following examples:
- Increased alertness
- Higher energy levels
- Improved focus
- Faster heart rate
- Higher blood pressure
- Decreased restlessness and fidgeting
- Longer attention span and ability to finish tasks
One of the most typical treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the drug Adderall. However, it is also often recommended for the treatment of other disorders, such as narcolepsy, an extremely uncommon sleep disorder that can result in excessive daytime sleepiness.
Forms of Adderall
Adderall comes in two forms:
- Immediate-release version. You take it 2-3 times per day. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States suggests that individuals with ADHD begin their treatment with 5 mg of Adderall once or twice daily and gradually raise their dosage up to a maximum of 40 mg per day. The instant release formulation can be administered to children as young as three years of age.
- Extended-release capsule. You just need to take it once day, yet it will provide a consistent dose all through the day. The extended-release capsule can be given to youngsters as young as six years old, and the FDA recommends giving a daily dose of 20 milligrams.
Adderall is helpful for a lot of people, but not everyone. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the medication Adderall is effective in reducing symptoms of ADHD in between 70 and 80 percent of children and 70 to 80 percent of adults.
It is likely that the effectiveness of Adderall will be maximized when it is taken with other therapies for ADHD, such as training in organizational skills or cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of therapy that assists patients in changing negative thought and behavior patterns.
Does Adderall make you poop frequently?
Yes, taking Adderall can cause you to poop or even cause you diarrhea.
Increased jitteriness or anxiousness is one of the possible side effects of the prescription drug Adderall. These intense feelings have the potential to disrupt the link that exists between a person’s brain and stomach, which in turn can result in increased gastric motility. This includes the uncomfortable feeling in the pit of your stomach that you have to go to the bathroom right away.
The first dose of Adderall causes the body to produce amphetamines, which may trigger a response known as the “fight or flight” mechanism. After the initial high wears off, they could have the opposite effect on the body. This includes increased digestive activity, which is a function of the parasympathetic nervous system, sometimes known as the “rest and digest” system of the body.
In addition, your doctor will most likely recommend that you take Adderall while you are eating breakfast first thing in the morning. It is possible that the timing of when you take your medication, eat (and possibly drink coffee, which is a bowel stimulant), is what causes you to have the sensation that you are going to the bathroom more frequently.
There is a possibility that Adderall will cause stomach upset in some people. Additionally, this may result in more frequent bowel movements.
What are the side effects of Adderall?
There are a number of other typical side effects associated with taking Adderall, in addition to the adverse effects on the digestive system. These are the following:
- headaches
- increased blood pressure
- increased heart rate
- insomnia
- mood swings, such as irritability or worsened anxiety
- nervousness
- weight loss
In order to determine whether or not a medication is effective, a physician would typically prescribe the smallest possible amount. It is possible that taking a lesser dose will help reduce the severity of side effects.
Conclusion
In conclusion, due to the stimulating nature of Adderall, it is possible that using the drug will cause you to have bowel movements more frequently than usual. On the other hand, depending on how your body decides to react, it could also cause you to have constipation.
To cut a long tale short, Adderall is associated with a wide variety of negative side effects. If you are considering using it, you should first consult your primary care physician and obtain adequate medical counsel before moving further. Adderall should only be utilized by those who have a genuine requirement for the medication.
It is not worth risking the adverse effects and digestive issues simply for the possibility of improved mental performance if you take this medication.
